The Auditor General’s findings raise serious concerns about the management of public funds in Narok West under MP Gabriel Tongoyo. The report calls for immediate action to ensure accountability, recover misappropriated funds, and implement governance reforms to prevent future irregularities
The Office of the Auditor General has uncovered glaring irregularities involving millions of shillings allegedly lost through the Narok West National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF). According to the 2021-2022 audit report, funds meant to support bursaries and development projects were mismanaged, with ghost learners and abandoned projects topping the list of concerns.
Ghost Learners and Bursary Fraud.
The report revealed that Sh35 million allocated for bursaries to needy students in secondary and primary schools remains unaccounted for. A total of 675 learners were flagged as having received bursaries without proper documentation or evidence, including missing admission or registration numbers.
“There were instances where beneficiaries shared admission numbers, or the lists lacked the names of recipients, raising questions about the propriety, accuracy, and completeness of the payments,” the report noted. An additional Ksh 868,694 discrepancy was found in the schedules provided for the bursary disbursements, which could not be reconciled.
The report also pointed out irregularities in construction projects valued at Sh25 million, citing concerns over unfulfilled contracts and substandard work. Ksh19 million was allocated for an administration block at Kishemouruak Secondary School, and Sh6 million was meant for a 120-bed dormitory at Olderkesi Secondary School. However, the audit found that the work did not align with the bills of quantities (BQs).
At Esoit Secondary School, Sh5 million was earmarked for constructing two classrooms, teachers’ housing, and toilets. The project was incomplete, and the contractor had abandoned the site.
Unaccounted Emergency Funds
Emergency funds amounting to Sh796,800, reportedly allocated to Lekanka Primary School for borehole re-equipping, were also flagged. Audit verification found no evidence of the project’s completion, despite earlier claims that it had been funded by the European Union and implemented by the National Drought Management Authority.
Unauthorized Fund Allocations
The committee was further criticized for allocating Sh5.5 million for bursaries to Oloibormurt and Olkiloriti primary schools without proper budgetary approvals. The move violated Section 6(2) of the NG-CDF Act, 2015, which requires the reallocation of funds to be approved by the National Government Constituencies Development Fund Board.
Compensation and Governance Concerns
The audit also questioned Sh4 million paid as compensation to 14 employees without a clear organizational structure or job descriptions, which was in violation of NG-CDF Board guidelines.
The Auditor General’s findings raise serious concerns about the management of public funds in Narok West under MP Gabriel Tongoyo. The report calls for immediate action to ensure accountability, recover misappropriated funds, and implement governance reforms to prevent future irregularities.
These revelations highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring transparency and proper utilization of NG-CDF allocations in Kenya.
